1999 Toyota tacoma 3.4L V6 Maintenance

Lol which shall I choose?

 

They're from the same seller. I think he just raised his price

 

The one I posted has more parts from Toyota. Both are quality kits, but I like to use Toyota parts when possible.

 

In turbos amazing write up it looks as if he changed his cam shaft and crank shaft seals is that something that needs to be done, seems a bit extra.

 

It's good practice. If they're not leaking you don't have to do them. But just be aware that they could start leaking and that can ruin the belt.

 

This is gonna be a fun one, I will keep everyone updated.

 

Check out timmy the tool man on youtube, he has great videos for the timing belt and the valve covers. Buy the timing belt on ebay from aircabinman and buy a new crank bolt. I also ordered the stuff for valve covers on ebay (all toyota parts) and while you're in doing the valve covers replace the rear cam plugs, intake plenum gaskets, and throttle body gasket (will only cost you a few more bucks but why not while everything is taken apart). I also purchased Toyota FIPG on Amazon which you will need for the valve covers job and rear cam plugs. You'll probably take the radiator out for the timing belt so you might want to get some new coolant (toyota red or zerex asian red is what I use, it's a little cheaper and available at advance or oreily)

 

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263437471042

A good replacement for stock leaking steering rack? OEM is 600+

 

I wouldn't buy it personally.

That photo they're using looks like a factory steering rack. Highly doubt that's the unit you would receive.

OEM outer tie rods are 100.00 bucks for the set. Shows you what kind of rack your getting there.

 

@wellsf , there's been many, many posts here on these parts that need replacing. Parts geek and Rock Auto have some good timing belt kits, that have the tensioner and idler pulleys, timing belt, and water pump. For the steering rack, I found this one, cheapest toyota dealership part I could find.
https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth...bly-4425035042?c=bD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM=

For lower ball joints, you'll hear many opinions, but I went with Genuine toyota parts, inner and outer tie rods, I went with 555 branded. If you replace your steering rack, they come with the inner tie rods already installed. There are many posts here that can help you figure out anything, and Timmy the toolman, has some very good videos. Good luck with your projects.

 

That's right. The going price for a new rack is $498.18. Bochtoyotasouth and McGeorge usually compete to offer the best price. Be sure to verify shipping rates from each parts store to your location. Shipping rates very greatly by location.

In the western part of the U.S. I see online rack pricing at a bit higher at $534.75. Prices depend on location. Shipping certainly depends on location.

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/

 

Def get a oem stat from Toyota. There a bit pricey maybe $20-$25 but the quality is very good. Nice and heavy not paper thin material parts store junk.

 

@TacomaEli
@CrippledOldMan
Thanks you guys both Timmy the tool man has some awesome videos and i was able to get my steering fluid changed out today, only problem I ran into was the o ring on the reservoir but I bought and assortment of them and made one work. Steering rack seems to be fine but of course it’s got all that gunk and stuff on it so I just wanted to be ready for when I had to buy a new one.

soon I’m going to be taking everything apart and doing all the needed maintenance that y’all have listed but man the price on all the tools for turbod’s write up is so expensive.

 

@wellsf, you don't always have to have the "special" tools listed, sometimes you can improvise. I used a pipe wrench, very large adjustable wrench, and bought some inexpensive wrenches to do my tie rods. Like Timmey's video states, the flats on the tie rods are small, and you can't always fit both wrenches on them. So I used a large pipe wrench on one side, and the appropriate open end wrench on the other. You'll figure it out, and always ask questions here on TW, it's like the encyclopedia britanica for Tacoma's all in one place.

 

I joined TW only a couple days ago and love it. The special tools I’m talking about are in turbos write up. They are kinda pricey on Amazon.
https://adventuretaco.com/step-by-s...r-3-4l-v6-5vzfe-also-4runner-tundra-and-t100/

 

I ended up buying the tools myself because I plan on owning my Taco forever and see doing the timing belt and water pump many times over the years. If you don't want to purchase, you can see what rentals local autoparts offer. Another alternative is to jump into your local regional TW thread and see if any members have tools you can borrow.

 

@wellsf, also, don't forget, that AutoZone and Advance, and other parts houses have a loaner tool program, where you have to put down a deposit. Bring the tool back and get your deposit back.

 

beat me to it.

 

I did the timing belt on my truck at 196k and it fell apart as I removed it, multiple teeth ripped off. Hope yours isn't original!

I decided not to replace the seals, if they haven't leaked by now they will probably be good for a while. It was a risk I took so I didn't have to remove the crankshaft pulleys. My water pump was just beginning to leak, and a pulley had a bad bearing in it.

Definitely look into your lower ball joints. The forum has some horrifying pictures and stories of those blowing out.

I initially replaced all fluids on my truck except the power steering fluid, then it started squealing in the cold so I swapped the fluid and cleaned the reservoir.

Like others have said, check part stores for tool rentals, highly recommended for things that you rarely use.

 

Thank you for all that. I hope mine isn’t original too.... my upper and lower definitely look okay as in the rubber covers are still intact but i know that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve lifted truck off ground and wiggled the wheel to check but couldn’t feel anything. What kind of fluid or oil for rear dif, front dif, transmission and engine?